Massage device utilizing an unanchored magnet for primary force generation

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic system for massage comprises a massage device having an activation cell comprising a hollow pocket at least partially filled with a ferro-magnetic fluid, a permanent magnet suspended in the ferro-magnetic fluid, a coil of electrically-conductive material in proximity to the pocket, and a connection interface to connect the coil to a source of varying voltage and current, and a power source of varying voltage for connecting to the connection interface to drive the activation cell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/666,328, filed Mar. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the area of devices for assistance inperforming massage and other topical procedures on living bodies, andpertains more particularly to the way force and vibration is generatedin such devices, and the integration of audio with such generation inaddition to magnetic wave therapy.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

Massage devices of many sorts and designs are well-known in the art, andconventional massage devices use an offset weighting of a shaft orarmature with an electric motor to generate oscillating forces, whichcauses reciprocal translation of at least a portion of the device. Anunbalanced weight on a rotating portion of the motor, or on an apparatusdriven by the motor, generates centripetal force in aconstantly-changing direction, which translates to reciprocatingmovement of the motor or apparatus. This reciprocating motion can betranslated to an outer frame member or shell which may be used tocontact a portion of a body to accomplish massage or other topicaltreatment or procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention a massage device is providedcomprising an activation cell having a hollow pocket or enclosure atleast partially filled with a ferro-magnetic fluid, a permanent magnetsuspended in the ferro-magnetic fluid, a coil of electrically-conductivematerial in proximity to the pocket, and a connection interface toconnect the coil to a power source of varying voltage.

In one embodiment the device is shaped for application to a portion of ahuman body. Also in an embodiment there may be internal conduits forfluid, and an interface to external conduits for deliveringtemperature-controlled fluid for controlling the temperature of thedevice. Also in an embodiment there may be means of controlling thetemperature of the device electrically as opposed to a fluid transfer,such as with peltier effect devices or resistive devices.

In some embodiments the device is contoured to a human face, and in someother embodiments to fit over a human limb or shoulder. In someembodiments the device is shaped to be inserted in a human bodilyorifice.

In some embodiments there are two or more activation cells, and some ofthese embodiments there is further circuitry and selection elements fordriving activation cells independently.

In another embodiment of the invention a therapeutic system is providedhaving a massage device comprising an activation cell with a hollowpocket at least partially filled with a ferro-magnetic fluid, apermanent magnet suspended in the ferro-magnetic fluid, a coil ofelectrically-conductive material in proximity to the pocket, and aconnection interface to connect the coil to a source of varying voltageand current, and a power source of varying voltage for connecting to theconnection interface to drive the activation cell.

In some embodiments the device is shaped for application to a particularportion of a human body. Also in some embodiments there may be internalconduits for fluid, and an interface to external conduits for deliveringtemperature-controlled fluid for controlling the temperature of thedevice.

In some cases the device is contoured to a human face. In other casesthe device may be contoured to fit over a human limb or shoulder. Instill other cases the device may be shaped to be inserted in a humanbodily orifice.

In some embodiments there are two or more activation cells, and thesemay separately controlled through circuitry and selection elements fordriving activation cells independently.

In some embodiments of the system the power source may be an amplifierfor amplifying and providing audio signals as output. In suchembodiments the power source may provide audio signals, and one or moreouter surface of the device may be translated by the activation cell,providing vibration for massage treatment and acting also as speakerelements, causing vibrations in the surrounding air as audible soundaccording to the audio input.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a method forpracticing vibratory massage is provided, comprising steps of (a)providing an activation cell in a device having outer surfacesapplicable to a human body, the cell comprising a hollow pocket at leastpartially filled with a ferro-magnetic fluid, a permanent magnetsuspended in the ferro-magnetic fluid, a coil of electrically-conductivematerial in proximity to the pocket, and a connection interface toconnect the coil to a source of varying voltage and current; and (b)driving the coil by a power source of varying voltage connected to theconnection interface.

In some embodiments of the method, in step (a) the surfaces are shapedfor application to a particular portion of a human body. Also in someembodiments there may be a further step (c) for controlling temperatureof the device through internal conduits for fluid in the device, and aninterface to external conduits for delivering temperature-controlledfluid for controlling the temperature of the device. Also in anembodiment there may be means of controlling the temperature of thedevice electrically as opposed to with a fluid transfer, such as withpeltier effect devices or resistive devices.

In some cases the particular portion of the body may be a human face. Insome other embodiments the particular portion of the human body may be ahuman limb or shoulder. In still other embodiments the particularportion of the human body may be a human body orifice.

In some embodiments of the method there may be two or more activationcells, and in some of these there may be further steps for usingcircuitry and selection elements for driving activation cellsindependently.

In some embodiments of the method the power source may be an amplifierfor amplifying and providing audio signals as output, and in suchembodiments the power source may provide audio signals, and one or moreouter surface of the device may be translated by the activation cell orcells, providing vibration for massage treatment and acting also asspeaker elements, causing vibrations in the surrounding air as audiblesound according to the audio input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a mostly schematic illustration showing how reciprocatingmotion may be produced in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for general massage practice, such asmight be applied to larger expanses of a human body.

FIG. 2 b is a top view of the device of FIG. 2 a, to better illustrateshape and placement of components.

FIG. 2 c illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for general massage practice applied to asharply curved portion of a human body.

FIG. 2 d illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for general massage practice applied to avery specific area of a human body.

FIG. 2 e illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for applying to human body orifices fortherapeutic purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a mostly schematic illustration showing generally howreciprocating motion may be produced in an embodiment of the presentinvention for a massage or topical treatment device. In this example aclosed-container 100, in this case having a roughly egg shape, is atleast partially filled with a ferro-magnetic fluid 101. Preferably thefluid completely fills the internal volume of the container, although insome cases partial filling may be used to dampen some effects to bedescribed below. Such ferro-magnetic fluids may be prepared in the artby mixing a finely-ground ferro-magnetic material, like iron, forexample, in a liquid or semi-liquid vehicle, such as viscous oil. Apermanent magnet 103 is enclosed in the container with theferro-magnetic fluid 101, and will typically maintain a supportedposition by nature of the static magnetic field around the permanentmagnet and its interaction with the ferro-magnetic fluid. The nature ofthe suspension and positioning of the permanent magnet in the fluid inthe container may be influenced by a number of factors, such as thestrength of the permanent magnet, the weight and size of the magnet, thenature of the fluid, and the size and shape of the container.

A coil 102 of a number of turns of electrically conductive material,which may be round or flattened wire or ribbon material, is wrappedaround container 100, and the ends of the coil are connected to output105 of an audio source 104, which may be an audio amplifier. The outputof such an audio source is typically used for driving a coil in aconventional fabric-enabled speaker.

In operation of a conventional audio system in which one or moreconventional speakers may be connected to audio output from anamplifier, a varying driving voltage is impressed across the terminalsof the output 105, causing a varying current in a coil in the vicinityof a magnet typically rigidly connected to a fabric speaker cone. Thevarying current in the coil causes a varying magnetic field to becreated, which is focused by the coil and whose strength is determinedby spacing and turn-density of the coil. The permanent magnet in thevicinity of the coil is caused to oscillate, following the frequenciesand strength of the field created by the coil by virtue of the varyingcurrent in the coil. Since the varying field is created by recordedaudio, movement of the fabric speaker rigidly connected to the permanentmagnet creates pressure waves in the air that are the sound that humanears pick up. The system reproduces the originally recorded audio, suchas instrumental music and lyrics from a human voice.

In the present case the output 105 drives coil 102 formed aroundcontainer 100 affects permanent magnet 103, which is suspended andsupported in ferro-magnetic fluid 101 in container 100. Just as in aconventional speaker the coil, by nature of the varying voltage andresultant current, creates a dynamic magnetic s field in the region ofsuspended permanent magnet 103. This driving voltage may be impressed asthe audio output of source 104 in the form of music or voice.

In embodiments of the present invention the suspended permanent magnetoscillates, and moving as it does in an essentially incompressiblefluid, causes varying force to be applied to the inside walls ofcontainer 100, and this varying force causes reciprocation of thecontainer. Container 100 vibrates just as the fabric of a conventionalspeaker might vibrate, but now the vibration can also be used formassage and other topical treatment purposes as well as creating areplication of the originally-recorded music or other audio phenomenon.

There is a three-fold effect. One effect is that the relatively rigidcontainer walls acts as a speaker membrane, making audible whatevermusic or voice has been impressed upon coil 102; the second effect isthe effect of movement of the container, and anything that might befastened to it. This movement, by inclusion of appropriate elements, canbe used as a massage device, whereby a person may enjoy a massageexperience in synchronization with the music that is sent to the coil;the third effect is the potentially beneficial effect of the magneticfields of the device, both from the permanent magnet or magnets in thedevice and the fields from the coil or coils used to manipulate thepermanent magnet or magnets. The effects of expanding and contractingmagnetic fields on the human body or portions of a person's body are notwell-known, but it is generally agreed that expanding and contractingmagnetic fields may have beneficial effects for such purposes as painalleviation, increased blood circulation in healing areas of the body aswell as pain alleviation and management.

In the case of the apparatus of FIG. 1, one might embed the coil in thecontainer wall, or cover the coil with a top-coating material to protectthe coil wires, and grasp the egg-shaped container to be pressed againstexpanses of flesh of a human, using the device as a massage tool. Aunique feature of the tool being that the device provides audio outputcompletely synchronized with the vibrating effects used for massagepurposes. A massage therapist, as is well-known, often plays soothingmusic during a session of body massage. With a device according to anembodiment of the present invention the device itself plays the music,and the action of the device is in concert with the music.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a device 200 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention shaped to be useful for general massage practice, suchas might be applied to larger expanses of a human body. Device 200 has acontainer space 201 filed with a ferro-magnetic fluid 202, a drivingcoil 204 and a suspended permanent magnet 203. In this case the output105 of the amp 104 goes to a wireless transmission device 207, whichtransmits to a receiver 206. Although not shown, device 200 in this casealso has a local power supply, such as a replaceable or rechargeablebattery. Receiver 206 and associated circuitry drives coil 204, whichdrives magnet 203 in turn. As before, the outer shell of the devicebecomes a resonator, essentially a speaker, and also serves as a surfacefor vibration for massage.

FIG. 2 b is a top view of device 200 of FIG. 2 a, to better illustrateshape and placement of components. Device 200 in this embodiment isround rather than egg-shaped, and has the aspect of a stone. In oneembodiment device 200 is constructed such that all internal componentsare encapsulated hermetically, and the entire device may be heated orcooled before use to provide yet an additional therapeutic topicaleffect. In other embodiments, the device may be connected by hardwire,as shown by optional path 210 in FIG. 2 b, and there may additionally beone or more conduits 209 from a temperature control source 208 forheated or cooled liquid to heat or cool the device while the device isin use.

FIG. 2 c illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for general massage practice applied to asharply curved portion of a human body. Device 211 has an applicationportion 212 shaped as a length of a split tubing, and is applicable to,for example, a subject's arm, leg, shoulder, etc. An adjacent raisedportion 213 houses interface circuitry for connecting incoming signals(delivered through conductors in conduit 214, or received from awireless transmitter) to one or more coils in the device for generatingmagnetic fields to affect permanent magnets suspended in ferro-magneticfluid in the device. In some embodiments there are separate pockets inthe device filled with ferro-magnetic fluid, and each pocket has asurrounding activation coil and a small permanent magnet suspended inthe fluid. Each one of these is an activation cell. In one embodimentthere is a selector switch 215 for engaging individual ones of theavailable cells, or multiple cells in concert. The strength of theincoming signal or signals (there may be more than one set of inputconductors, and separate conductors can carry separate signals) and thenumber engaged and working in concert may affect the nature of thevibration of the device. As with other embodiments described, device 211may also be heated or cooled to provide additional topical effect.Conduit 214 may have lines for heated or cooled fluid.

FIG. 2 d illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for general massage practice and topicaltreatment applied to a very specific area of a human body. In thisparticular embodiment a mask 217 has been made of a woman's face. Themask in this embodiment is of a semi-rigid material, plastic, forexample, and is covered on the side applied to the face with a softermaterial, like a flexible polymer. Several activation cells 218 areaffixed to the mask, and each has a hollow interior pocket filled withferro-magnetic fluid, a coil surrounding the pocket, and a permanentmagnet suspended in the fluid. The coils are connected through wiring219 and through the wiring to a signal system, such an amplifier,through conduit 220. In operation the signal delivered drives the coilsassociated with each activation cell which provides vibration of themask by forces transferred through the fluid of each cell to the outerwalls of each cell, which are fixed to the rigid part of the mask.

In some embodiments heating and cooling may be applied. Also openingsare provided through the mask at least for breathing, and may also beprovided at the area of the eyes so a person using the mask can seethrough the mask. Also in some embodiments cells may be controlledseparately or in tandem. The signals provided can be from musicalsources, and portions of the mask may also act as speaker elementscausing discernable and audible music according to the signals provided.

FIG. 2 e illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention shaped to be useful for applying to human body orifices fortherapeutic purposes. Device 216 is shaped as a cylinder, and has one ormore activation cells 223 at positions along the length. Each activationcell comprises a hollow region 224 filled with ferro-magnetic fluid, asuspended permanent magnet, and a surrounding activation coil. Leads 227in this embodiment come out of the device at the end of a handle area222. In this embodiment the activation cells may be wired in a manner tobe concurrently or separately controlled, there may be conduits for hotor cold fluid, and the device may have battery power and be activatedremotely by wirelessly transmitted signals, as described above for otherdevices.

The method of creating vibration for such devices by a coil acting on apermanent magnet suspended in a ferro-magnetic fluid provides a numberof advantages over conventional ways of creating vibration. The movementof the magnet may be linear, or may move in other patterns depending onthe shape and geometry of coils, No motors or bearings are necessary,reducing the manufacturing cost. A strong magnetic field may be present,which according to some, provides certain health benefits in combinationwith massage, such as increased blood circulation in damaged tissuewhich may promote healing, and also possible benefits in painalleviation and management.

A wide variety of vibration patterns may be presented by utilizing a DSPor other electronic means to modify the current flow, and by switchingcurrent to different coils, which may be wound within one another.Activation cells can be provided so impetus is provided in differentdirections. The massage devices may also be connected directly to theoutput of a microphone to generate vibrations that change in accordancewith the frequency of the audio signals. And in many cases the outerwalls of devices according to different embodiments of the presentinvention may act as speaker elements, and create audible soundaccording to the input signals. One may drive such devices by musicalscores, such as rock music, classical music, rap, and essentially anyrecorded audio. As audio output devices, these devices are not subjectto power below a level which would damage the fabric elements of aconventional speaker, but may be driven at any output level supportableby the driving source. In some cases limitations may be imposed for theprotection of the person to whom such a device might be applied.

It is emphasized that the embodiments described herein are exemplaryonly, and many variations and applications of the principles may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scopeof the invention is therefore only limited by the scope of the claimsthat follow.

1. A massage device comprising: an activation cell comprising a hollowpocket at least partially filled with a ferromagnetic fluid, a permanentmagnet suspended in the ferromagnetic fluid, a coil ofelectrically-conductive material in proximity to the pocket; and aconnection interface to connect the coil to a power source of varyingvoltage; wherein the coil surrounds the hollow pocket in a mannerenabling the varying voltage to cause the suspended magnet to oscillatewhile suspended in the ferromagnetic fluid according to the varyingvoltage, causing the device to vibrate.
 2. The device of claim 1 shapedfor application to a portion of a human body.
 3. The device of claim 2further comprising internal conduits for fluid, and an interface toexternal conduits for delivering temperature-controlled fluid forcontrolling the temperature of the device.
 4. The device of claim 2wherein the device is contoured to a human face.
 5. The device of claim2 wherein the device is contoured to fit over a human limb or shoulder.6. The device of claim 2 shaped to be inserted in a human bodilyorifice.
 7. The device of claim 2 having two or more activation cells.8. The device of claim 6 further comprising circuitry and selectionelements for driving activation cells independently.
 9. A therapeuticsystem comprising: a massage device comprising an activation cellcomprising a hollow pocket at least partially filled with aferromagnetic fluid, a permanent magnet suspended in the ferromagneticfluid, a coil of electrically-conductive material in proximity to thepocket, and a connection interface to connect the coil to a source ofvarying voltage and current; and a power source of varying voltage forconnecting to the connection interface to drive the activation cell;wherein the coil surrounds the hollow pocket in a manner enabling thevarying voltage to cause the suspended magnet to oscillate whilesuspended in the ferromagnetic fluid according to the varying voltage,causing the device to vibrate.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein thedevice is shaped for application to a portion of a human body.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10 further comprising internal conduits in the devicefor fluid, and an interface to external conduits for deliveringtemperature-controlled fluid for controlling the temperature of thedevice.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the device is contoured to ahuman face.
 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the device is contouredto fit over a human limb or shoulder.
 14. The system of claim 10 shapedto be inserted in a human bodily orifice.
 15. The system of claim 10having two or more activation cells.
 16. The system of claim 15 furthercomprising circuitry and selection elements for driving activation cellsindependently.
 17. The system of claim 9 wherein the power source is anamplifier for amplifying and providing audio signals as output.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein the power source provides audio signals, andone or more outer surfaces of the device are translated by theactivation cell, providing vibration for massage treatment and actingalso as speaker elements, causing vibrations in the surrounding air asaudible sound according to the audio input.
 19. A method for practicingvibratory massage, comprising steps of: (a) providing an activation cellin a device having outer surfaces applicable to a human body, the cellcomprising a hollow pocket at least partially filled with aferromagnetic fluid, a permanent magnet suspended in the ferromagneticfluid, (b) providing a coil of electrically-conductive material inproximity to the pocket, and a connection interface to connect the coilto a source of varying voltage and current, wherein the coil isrepeatedly wound around the cell; and (b) driving the coil by a powersource of varying voltage connected to the connection interface andcausing the magnet to oscillate according to the varying voltage. 20.The method of claim 19 wherein, in step (a) the surfaces are shaped forapplication to a particular portion of a human body.
 21. The method ofclaim 20 further comprising a step (c) for controlling temperature ofthe device through internal conduits for fluid in the device, and aninterface to external conduits for delivering temperature-controlledfluid for controlling the temperature of the device.
 22. The method ofclaim 20 wherein the particular portion of the body is a human face. 23.The method of claim 20 wherein the particular portion of the human bodyis a human limb or shoulder.
 24. The method of claim 20 wherein theparticular portion of the human body is a human body orifice.
 25. Themethod of claim 20 wherein, in step (a) there are two or more activationcells.
 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising steps for usingcircuitry and selection elements for driving activation cellsindependently.
 27. The method of claim 19 wherein in step (b) the powersource is an amplifier for amplifying and providing audio signals asoutput.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the power source providesaudio signals, and one or more outer surfaces of the device aretranslated by the activation cell, providing vibration for massagetreatment and acting also as speaker elements, causing vibrations in thesurrounding air as audible sound according to the audio input.